Do you ever want to escape the stress and strain of daily life and just be pampered a little bit? You don’t have to spend thousands (or even hundreds) of dollars to enjoy the relaxing, soothing atmosphere of a spa. When you’re feeling tense, why not set aside a little time to soothe those jangled nerves with these simple steps for an easy spa day at home …

1. Nourish Your Body with Healthy Snacks and Juice

You don’t want to be hungry or thirsty while you’re trying to relax. Prepare something light, healthy, and tasty ahead of time, such as a nourishing soup, enlivening salad, or (my personal favorite) fresh juice or a smoothie. For recipe ideas, try Wai Lana’s Favorite Juices or Wai Lana’s Favorite Soups.

2. Relax with Music

What could be more important? Sound vibration has such a powerful effect on your physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. Try soothing soundtracks like Wai Lana’s Rest and Relax or Yoga Music of the Heart. The beautiful, uplifting music will help quickly transport your mind away from the stresses and strains of daily life.

3. Take a Scented Bath

Your sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses of your body. The right fragrance will soothe yet invigorate your nervous system, uplift your spirit, and pacify your mind. My personal favorite for relaxation is combined scents such as Wai Lana’s lavender and sandalwood bath salts or bath oils. Combine the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy with the healing and soothing power of water by taking a relaxing, scented bath.

4. Soothe Your Nerves with Fragrant Massage Oil

The ancient science of Ayurveda praises the use of healing scented oils for balancing the dosha of vata (wind), which tends to be aggravated in the cooler, drier weather of autumn. Fragrant massage oil will help seal in the moisture of your skin and make you feel cozy and peaceful.

5. Pacify Your Body and Mind with Yoga Nidra

Now that you’re totally relaxed and peaceful, this is the perfect time to practice the relaxation pose, Yoga Nidra. Simply lie on your back with your arms slightly away from your sides, palms up, and legs slightly apart, completely relaxed. Breathe slowly and evenly and allow any trace of tension to completely drain away from your body. Try following the guided relaxation on Wai Lana’s Rest and Relax. By incorporating the physical benefits of Yoga Nidra with the healing sound vibration of Yoga Sound, you will transport your mind to a place of beauty and inspiration.

For many people, a headache is almost an everyday occurrence. It can range from minor discomfort to debilitating, agonizing pain. Some people experience headaches everyday all day long, while others don’t get them at all. (I’m sure they’re a minority!)

There are so many causes of a headache and the solutions for it are just as many. Sometimes the solution can be as simple as drinking a glass of water. If you live in a hot place, for example, chances are your headache is caused by mild dehydration. So get out of the heat, chug down some water and head for a long cooling shower. You’ll feel much better afterwards.

Some headaches, however, are caused by a serious health problem. So seek medical attention as needed. Depending on the cause, yoga asanas and yoga meditation can actually prevent and alleviate a headache, especially if it is triggered by stress.

Stress is one of the most common causes of a headache. This is where yoga can help you. By combining asanas, pranayam and meditation, you can have a powerful tool in combating a tension headache.

Yoga asanas can help by relaxing the neck and shoulder muscles. When you are stressed, you tense up these muscles and the ultimate result is a headache. So instead of reaching out for a dose of painkiller, take out your yoga mat for some gentle neck and shoulder stretches. End each session with yoga nidra and proceed to Yoga Sound Meditation.

If you regularly practice Yoga Sound Meditation, you will come to a point where you will see the troubles and problems that give you headaches simply as a temporary, passing show. Problems will come and go. There is no need to immerse in it.

Even if the cause of your headache is an irritating person, Yoga Sound Meditation can still help you. Sounds hard to believe? Here’s why. Through repeated practice of sound meditation, you will be more tolerant of others. The obnoxious person won’t disappear, rather you will be more patient and will not be bothered as much.

So make time everyday to practice your asanas, pranayam and Yoga Sound Meditation and prevent your headache from getting worse. If you already have a regimen to follow to manage your tension headaches, you can still incorporate these techniques I have just shared with you. In fact, yoga will complement your current regimen and you’ll notice that nagging headache will nag you no more.